At the start of the 2015 season, the Washington Nationals were expected to be the class of the National League East after running away with it in 2014, as well as being frontrunners for a World Series title.
However, the New York Mets, with their young, strong starting rotation, hung in there with the Nats by the All-Star break. General manager Sandy Alderson also made some mid-season trades to improve their offense – most notably acquiring outfielder Yoenis Cespedes – igniting a running-away with the division crown and eventually a World Series appearance.